What started as a lighthearted TikTok dance has turned into a full-blown political storm in Tanzania. Influencer Niffer Jovin is now facing treason charges after posting a short video of herself dancing to a viral tune titled “Raïs Samia – MAANDAMANO YA Nywi-nywi-nywi.”

The song, which loosely translates to “President Samia – The Nywi-nywi-nywi Protests,” has become popular across East Africa for its humorous take on the post-election unrest in Tanzania. In her clip, Jovin appears cheerful and carefree, laughing and dancing to the beatbut authorities have deemed her actions a threat to national security, accusing her of mocking the Head of State and promoting public disorder.

Jovin was reportedly arrested on Wednesday night in Dar es Salaam and taken to court the following day, where prosecutors charged her with treasona capital offence in Tanzania that carries the death penalty.

The arrest sparked widespread outrage on social media. Thousands of users on X (formerly Twitter) condemned the move as a direct attack on freedom of expression and artistic creativity. Many mocked the decision, calling it absurd and heavy-handed. One user wrote, “If dancing is treason, what happens if you sing along? Straight to the gallows?” Another joked, “Definition of treason, Tanzanian edition ????.”

The reactions online reflect both disbelief and growing frustration at what many see as the government’s increasing intolerance of criticism. Jovin’s arrest comes just days after Tanzania’s disputed October 29, 2025, general election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 97 percent of the vote. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA was barred from contesting and later detained on similar treason allegations.

International outlets including The Guardian and AP News report that at least 76 people have been arrested in recent weeks on charges related to treason or sedition, amid escalating crackdowns on protests. Le Monde and Reuters describe a climate of fear and censorship, where even songs, memes, and TikTok videos are treated as potential threats to the state.

The song at the centre of the controversy began as a satirical TikTok trend mocking police brutality and government repression. Over time, it evolved into an underground protest anthem. By dancing to it, Jovin appears to have unintentionally become a symbol of Tanzania’s shrinking space for dissent.

As one user on X summed it up: “If dancing is treason, then laughter is rebellion.”

Tanzanian Influencer Faces Treason Charges Over TikTok Dance Video